Breeds Of The World- Highland Pony

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Highland Pony

History	The highland pony came from the Highlands of Scotland and the islands off the west coast. It is one of the strongest and heaviest of Britain's Mountain and moorland breeds. Ponies are believed to have inhabited the Highlands many thousands of years ago. The modern Highland Pony is sure-footed, hardy and long-lived, evolving out of a series of outcrosses, particularly Arab and Clydesdale. As early and the sixteenth century, the Dukes of Atholl who were influential breeders of Highland Ponies for several centuries, almost certainly introduced=ced eastern blood as early as the sixteenth century. The Highland is a strong, sturdily built pony, a real all-round worker which in its time has carried men to war, been the mount of shepherds, worked in harness, hauled timber, taken deer-stalkers into the hills and carried the shot stags - weighing upwards of 16 stone (224lb/101kg) - back down the hills. This pony would make a fine all-round riding pony and can carry an adult with ease. Purebreds can been see taking part in a number of competitive sports such as driving and dressage. When this pony is crossed with the thoroughbred it will make an excellent hunter. More than one successful three-day event horse has had highland blood in its veins.
Conformation	Well-carried head with broad forehead, alert, kind eyes and wide nostrils; strong, arched neck with clean throat; well laid-back shoulders; compact body with deep chest and well-sprung ribs; powerful hindquarters with strong, well-developed thigh and second thigh; strong limbs with short cannons, flat hard bone and well-shaped, nard, dark hooves; silky feather, not over-heavy and ending in a prominent tuft at the fetlock; long silky, flowing mane and tail.
Height	13-14.2hh (hh= Hands High, one hand is 4 inches)
Color	Various shades of dun, also gray, brown, black and occasionally bay and liver chestnut with silver mane and tail.

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